CHRISTOPHER NULL

H L Marsay is an English mystery writer with some serious street cred — her Chief Inspector Shadow Mysteries series now spans 8 books. The first book in her latest series takes the criminal element into that most romantic of places… the vineyard. Let’s get to know her!

Who are you, and what do you write about?

Hello! My name’s Helen but I write as H L Marsay. I write mysteries and so far, have published three series. The first was the Chief Inspector Shadow Mysteries, set in my home city of York. The second was called The Secrets of Hartwell and the third, The Lady in Blue Mysteries, was my first attempt at writing historical fiction. It’s set during the First World War, when women first joined the police.

What is your favorite word?

That’s a tough one! It changes quite frequently and often depends on what I am reading, writing or watching.

As I’m from York, I do love the word “Shambles” but at the moment, I think my favourite might be “Fiasco.”

I’m currently writing The Chianti Case, the second book in my new series, The Vineyard Mysteries. During my research, I discovered that the short squat bottles half encased in a basket, that Chianti wine was traditionally served in, are known as fiascos. The reason we now use the word to describe something as being a ludicrous failure comes from the Italian phrase “far fiasco” literally “make a bottle of” and meaning “to fail at something”.

I’m not sure what picking “Shambles” and “Fiasco” as my favourite words says about my life!

What is your least favorite word?

Deadline! I imagine that’s true of most writers.

What is the trait you most like about yourself?

I think I’m loyal, friendly and a good listener.  Although according to my husband, this makes me sound like our Golden Retriever.

What is the trait you least like about yourself?

I can procrastinate for England! There’s no limit to the things I can find to busy myself with when avoiding a task I’m dreading. I’m quite the expert at cleaning out cutlery drawers, labelling the contents of the freezer and alphabetically organising bookshelves. This may also explain the reason for my least favourite word.

What is your greatest fear?

Heights and spiders!

How do other people describe you?

I’d be too afraid to ask!

What talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could sing. Or should I say, I wish I could sing in tune. I have to restrict myself to singing in the shower or when I’m alone in the car. To my ears, I sound exactly like Ella Fitzgerald but sadly, this clearly isn’t what everyone else hears!

If you weren’t working as a writer, what would you be doing?

I’d love to be able to set up an animal sanctuary and spend my days looking after abandoned dogs and stray cats.

How would you like to die?

I’d like to quietly slip away as I recline on a chaise lounge, sipping champagne and watching my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren celebrate my 100^th birthday.

If you were to die and then come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I used to think I would like to come back as one of the late Queen’s corgis, but now she is no longer with us, I think it would have to be Larry, the 10 Downing Street cat. Larry is Chief Mouser to the Prime Minister. He is photographed more than any politician, constantly given treats by the press, the police open the famous black front door for him whenever he wants and he gets to hear all the political news and gossip.

When and where were you happiest?

My childhood was pretty idyllic. I grew up in the Yorkshire countryside surrounded by dogs, books and music.

More recently, I was in Seville this January to escape the snow at home. Sitting on a roof terrace, sipping Cava in the sun with my husband and two sons, felt like heaven.

What is your greatest regret?

Not continuing to study foreign languages when I was younger. I learnt France and German at school but I wish I’d continued with them. In the last few years, I have started learning Spanish and Italian too, but it’s so much harder now than when I was a teenager.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

To be more focused (see trait I like least!)

Who is your fictional hero?

I think it has to be Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Not terribly original but I do think Jane Austen managed to create one of the most brilliant female characters of all time.

Miss Marple would come a close second though.

Who are your favorite writers?

Another tough question! As a mystery writer, it has to be Agatha Christie, “the Queen of Crime”!

Also, I’ve always been fascinated by the Brontë sisters. At a time when very few women could make a career as a writer, I find it amazing that three sisters from a fairly humble background, living in a small town in Yorkshire could have such an impact on the literary world.

Kate Atkinson is probably my favourite contemporary author. I adored her first book, Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

What have you been working on lately?

I’m currently working on a new series called The Vineyard Mysteries. It combines two of my favourite things: wine and writing!

The first book, The Bordeaux Case, is out on June 2, 2025.

Emma King, my main character is facing the challenge of becoming the head buyer for her family’s wine business after her father loses his sense of taste and smell. On her first tasting trip to a beautiful château in France, a local art collector is found dead and her host’s son is the prime suspect. Despite being one of the most disorganised women in the world, Emma is determined to prove her childhood friend is innocent.

Check out The Bordeaux Case and learn more about H L at her website.

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